STACK #180 Oct 2019

GAMES FEATURE

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We sound off about a range of gaming headsets to suit a range of ears and budgets. Words Xxxxxx

Too often we hear of PC gamers skimping

on headsets. Like the generic Microsoft keyboards and mice of yesteryear, any daggy set of cans will offer sound, but it’s not the soundest of choices to use them. Picking up a new set of headphones is absolutely an investment in better gaming. But it doesn’t have to break the bank. Words Nathan Lawrence

you wear them. All-important sound quality is admirable with the A10s, and we like how self-censoring a Call of Duty rage moment is as simple as flicking the microphone back into the band. Now you’re hearing Step into mid-tier PC headsets and you’re looking at spending between $100 and $200. This price bracket effectively guarantees wire- free audio, which starts with the HyperX Cloud StingerWireless . Wired vs. wireless Wired headsets are particularly great for gaming laptops where you can control the distance from USB ports to cans. Depending on your distance to desktop, you might need a USB extension or keyboard with USB pass-through, to have enough wireless slack. Wired does offer zero-latency audio playback. That said, wireless latency tends to be virtually unnoticeable, unless you’re gaming in a room or home with a lot of interference.

This stereo headset is low cost but doesn’t feel cheap, with conveniently earcup-placed volume dial and mic-silencing toggle. The 50mm audio drivers offer a great range at this price point, while the 3.5mm connector means compatibility beyond PC. Plus, the Discord- certified unidirectional mic will earn you teammate kudos on pub servers when you drop timely intel bombs.

Bang for buck While there’s a noticeable difference between high-end headsets and low-end cans, a lot of the perks of the upper tier are more targeted at wire-free fans and audiophiles. Because of this, there are dollars to be saved on a sub-$100 entry-level headset for the casual or intermediate gamer, like the Corsair HS35 .

Spend a few bucks more to score the Astro A10 , which has the same extended compatibility perks care of the 3.55mm jack, which also makes them plug-and-play. They feel a little rigid at first, but the memory foam means they’re comfier the longer

Targeting cans There are a lot of personal-preference factors to consider when purchasing a gaming headset. So simplify the process by addressing the basics. Comfort is paramount if you plan on epic gaming sessions. Wireless or the type of wired connection (USB vs 3.5mm) also determines cross-compatibility. Costlier models tend to have better mics, which are handy for noisy gaming spaces. And surround sound is mainly practically useful for shooter fans more so than other genres.

Despite the affordable wireless price, these are surprisingly comfortable cans, even if you go old- school with one earcup halfway off your lug. The comfy cups also rotate 90

degrees for convenient

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OCTOBER 2019

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